Author's note: A special thanks to my guest collaborator on this chapter. Thank you Izzie, without your help, there would be no wedding. I wanted to keep it off-screen. She convinced me to change that and wrote most of the ceremony herself! Thank you, also, to everyone who has read or reviewed my work. Your encouragement has helped motivate me tremendously. This is the end of the road, with only the epilogue left. I think I have answered all of the questions within the story, but if there's anything I've missed, please let me know. I'd be happy to answer.
The Wedding
Chapter 40
The Wedding
Harry was released the following afternoon. Hermione left work early to accompany him home. He was forbidden to use any magic for two weeks; however he was allowed to walk when absolutely necessary.
"Can I get you anything?" Lupin asked when Harry was settled on the couch.
Harry thought a moment. "Maybe the WWN. There's supposed to be a Puddlemere game on."
Lupin set up the wireless and found the game. Hermione called him over and whispered in his ear.
"Since you are settled, I'm going to run into the office for a bit. Before you ask, no, I won't bring you any work home. You are supposed to rest."
Harry sighed and settled back into the cushions to listen to the game. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught an amazing sight.
"What are you doing?" he asked skeptically.
"Just testing out a theory…" she responded as she dropped the remainder of her clothing to the floor.
"Come here," he requested as he feasted his eyes on her naked body.
"Harry…" started Hermione a good bit later as the couple lay wrapped in each other's arms. "When you are better, I'd like to talk more about the wedding. Have you given any more thought to what you'd like?"
"I talked to Mr. Weasley, before that whole fiasco happened. He said that a private ceremony in the garden is fine, but he'd like to see a public reception, with foreign dignitaries and the whole works. Would you mind that so much?"
"Of course not," she replied. "That just might be the perfect solution. We get the quiet ceremony that we want, then you'd still have the media circus that your position requires."
Harry groaned at the thought. "Do we have to?" he asked. "The thought of it gives me a headache."
"I know it does, but that also makes one less ball you'll have to attend this year. You'll be off the hook until Christmas."
Harry closed his eyes and thought of Christmas with Hermione as his wife. "Let's make it sooner rather than later," he said.
"We'll need at least six weeks to plan it out. A small garden wedding doesn't happen overnight."
"You aren't planning to haul me around to look at loads of that stuff, are you?" Harry shuddered at the memory of the show in New York.
"Actually, no, I'm not," she responded in a business-like manner. "I don't like lacy, frilly things any more than you do. I like pretty things as much as the next woman, but I think our wedding should reflect us and the styles we are comfortable with rather than be a competition on who can use the most lace. Don't you think?"
"Have I told you before that you are perfect for me?" he asked, impressed.
"Not today, but there's plenty of time left…" she giggled.
"So, shall we plan on six weeks, then? That will put us almost to fall. The weather should be nice…"
"Is that enough time?" she asked. "The garden is lovely, but for a wedding we need lots of work done…"
"Remus loves to putter about gardening," Harry suggested. "He can help; Ron and Luna, plus we can always borrow some house elves from Hogwarts…"
Harry took in the look of disappointment in Hermione's eyes. Then it hit him. "Of course, as soon as I'm able, I'll be able to do most of it. Just because I'm not supposed to do magic, doesn't mean I can't work. Who do you think kept my Aunt Petunia's garden in shape?"
Hermione smiled at him wickedly. "You are too good to me," she purred as she pulled him closer.
"I take fantasies very seriously. I didn't have much else growing up…" he admitted.
"Tell me one of your fantasies, sexual or not. I don't care."
"That cream cake thing put any sexual fantasy I've ever had to shame. Merlin, that was wonderful…"
Hermione made a mental note and added, "Tell me a fantasy you've never told me before. From when you were a child…"
"I don't remember any," he lied.
"Yes, you do. Just tell me…"
"You'll just laugh," he said. Looking into her eyes, he knew she wouldn't. "Alright, I'll tell you. It's really stupid, though. When I was a kid, I'd hear Aunt Petunia putting Dudley to bed. I could picture it in my mind. I could see her sitting beside his bed holding a book. I could hear her voice reading him a story, but I couldn't make out what she was saying, so I would make up a story in my head and pretend my mum was telling it to me. I could hear Aunt Petunia get up and walk over to him, kiss him on the cheek and tell him goodnight. That's when I'd realize that no one was there to kiss me. See? I told you it was stupid." He looked at her and didn't see any humor, just tears shining in her eyes.
"I'll be right back," she stated and fled the room.
"Good going, Potter," he scolded himself.
Within seconds, Hermione was back wearing an old flannel dressing gown. She dragged a chair up the bed. "It's not bedtime, but I hope a naptime story will suffice," she told him lovingly.
"Hermione, you don't have to…"
"Shush! Boys are not allowed to interrupt story time…" she scolded gently. "Once upon a time…" She told Harry a story of a witch princess who was madly in love with the handsome wizard prince, how they raised a family and mostly how they lived happily ever after. She pulled the blankets tight around him and sweetly kissed his forehead.
"Thank you," he said sleepily. "You are going to be a wonderful mum. I can't wait until we can tell stories to our own children."
Several weeks passed before Harry was cleared to use magic, though to him, it felt like several months. He'd spent his time building, with a little help from magic, a gazebo for the wedding, after he'd caught Hermione doodling one on a spare scrap of parchment. He'd put up a disillusionment charm over it and hid it behind a sheet he'd enlarged. One the gazebo was finished; he began to plant fall blooming roses to climb up the fixture. He kept a careful eye on their growth, so that they'd bloom in time for the wedding.
"When can I see what you are hiding out there?" she asked him one sunny afternoon.
"On our wedding day. It's a surprise until then," he answered. "What do you think of a walkway down the center? I can add that easily…"
"Harry…" Hermione began hesitantly. "Are you having a bachelor party?"
"I assume so. No one's mentioned it. Why?" he asked.
"Well, Luna has planned a party for me and I wanted us to have them on the same night," she answered.
"That sounds fine," he said. "Check with Ron. He'll be the likeliest host."
Ron indeed has a party scheduled for Harry to take place two nights before the wedding. Harry insisted that he didn't want it on the eve of the ceremony.
Luna, Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil arrived to pick up Hermione for her night out. They were planning to meet the other girls at the Three Broomsticks, which Luna had rented for the evening.
A bit later Ron arrived to get Harry. "I've rented Seamus' for the night. It's going to be a blast," prattled Ron to a nervous Harry.
"You know I don't want anything too out of hand, right?" Harry cautioned. "Your brothers didn't help out with this, did they?
"Don't worry, mate," he answered. "We'll be fine."
They arrived at Seamus' pub to find scantily clad waitresses milling about serving drinks. There was a stage occupying the space in the back. Harry's anxiety increased. Immediately upon entering, he nicked a large glass off a tray. He didn't know what exactly it was that he was drinking, but the burn down his throat indicated that it was strong.
Soon Ron made the first toast. "My friends, we have taken this opportunity to welcome my best mate, Harry, to the world of marital bliss…"
"Don't do it! Free yourself while you can!" came a shout from the corner which sounded a lot like Neville followed by screams of laughter.
Harry laughed as Ron went on, "…I've gotten you a few gifts, mate, that'll help your 'marital', to be more 'blissful'." Ron held up a box and pulled something out. "This book was passed down to me from Charlie."
Charlie shouted, "Learn it and use it!!" Harry looked at the book Ron held.
Ron laughed and said, "This book tells us all the questions wives ask us that we really shouldn't answer. Just look up the question and it'll tell you the answer that won't get you into to trouble." He handed the book over to Harry, who flipped through it quickly.
"Ahhh, I've been burned by that one already!" Harry complained. The assembled men howled in glee.
"The next gift is irreplaceable. It's saved my arse many times. It's a chart that tells you what of trouble you are in and what it takes to get out of the gnome hole."
"Pass that around, Ron. I need to see how much trouble I'll be in tomorrow," shouted Dean Thomas.
"The last gift is special ordered. I noticed Hermione's reaction to your magical evaluations, so I thought I'd do you a favor." Harry face turned the color of ripe tomatoes. "This, my friend, is your own personal scanner," He held up a small silver instrument. "Basically, you blast it and it will put up a reading of how much power you put into it. Enjoy, mate."
"Thanks, Ron. I'm sure I'll put these to good use," Harry stated.
"We're sure you will, too," called Fred, or was it George.
"May you have all the happiness you so rightly deserve and may you have all the sex and quidditch you can handle, for these are the staples in life." Ron concluded.
"Thanks, mate," Harry said. "For all this, plus everything else over the years."
Remus came over and gave Harry a huge bear hug. "I've got you a little something as well. But before I give it to you, I wanted to tell you how happy and proud of you James and Lily would be. I couldn't love you any more if you were my own son. Here…" Harry's eyes shown as he opened the present. It was a clock-type object. "This is what I've been talking to you about. It will let unsuspecting visitors know not to disturb you." Harry grinned.
Just then the lights went dim, except for on the stage. Loud, pulsing music began and several dancers entered, bumping and grinding their way across the stage. Ron led Harry to the seat of honor to enjoy the show. The dancers began shedding their costumes and tossing them at the guest of honor. Harry watched quietly, while the other men hooted and hollered.
The lead stripper came over behind where Harry was seated and began rubbing her body against his shoulders. "I really wish you would pick someone else," Harry said uncomfortably. "You are beautiful and a very good dancer, but just please…er…don't." The dancer smiled and moved over to Neville Longbottom and sat on his lap. Harry took a long drink and relaxed.
Soon, Harry was feeling the alcohol. He and many others joined the dancers on the stage. The strippers were down to wearing very little. Harry made sure he kept a proper distance from anyone, but tossed his shirt. The dancer on his left, Ginger, was teaching him how to move. Harry looked up to see his fiancée watching.
"Hermione!" he called embarrassed. "What are you doing here?"
"We came over to check on you," she replied. "Has he been a good boy, Ginger?"
Ginger answered, "Better than I've ever seen. He's kept a strict, 'look, but don't touch' policy. We've been teaching him to dance our way."
Hermione snickered. "Well, we don't want to spoil your fun…"
"Yes, we do…" shouted Luna who was eying Ron suspiciously.
"Okay, yes we do want to spoil your fun, but we won't stay…"
A sweaty, shirtless Harry leapt off the stage and bolted toward her. "Please stay," he begged. "Dance with me."
Hermione threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Cheers went up from the crowd, as the gift from Remus raised itself off the table and flashed, 'Just Kissing: Come on in.' Harry pulled her up onto the stage and pulled her into his arms before swaying to the music in the way he'd been shown.
The next morning, Harry dressed in some of Dudley's old clothes. He apparated to Hermione's flat and knocked.
"Good morning," she said. "I thought you'd have a lie in this morning. We were out very late."
"I couldn't," he replied. "I was too excited. You are moving in with me today. I wanted to get started."
"Harry, you know that I'm not officially moving in until after the wedding, right?"
"I know, but this is just as good. I'll be surrounded by your things, so I know it'll be real."
"There's plenty of my things there now. How is this different?" she asked.
"Well, before you had a flat and were visiting me. After today, my home will be your home. It makes a world of difference."
"We'd best get started, then," she handed him a cat carrier with a yowling Crookshanks inside. He grabbed a box with his other arm and disapparated. He was back within seconds.
"What's next?" he asked a clearly surprised Hermione.
She blinked several times before asking, "You can just take things with you? I've never seen that before."
"Can't everyone? I just think of it as a portkey with me being the anchor. Anything that is touching me goes."
Hermione picked up a box and disappeared. The box fell to the floor with a thud. Harry scooped up the box and followed.
"Here you go," he said handing her the box she left. He set down the other things he'd brought.
"Honestly, Harry. You make it look so simple. I suppose you can bring over that stuff, while I stay here and put things away." Hermione started opening boxes and banishing things to their new locations. Harry disappeared again, resurfacing almost instantaneously with another load.
It took Harry almost an hour before Hermione's flat was emptied. Arriving in his kitchen holding a large armoire, Hermione saw him and shrieked, "Harry! You aren't supposed to be lifting heavy things yet!"
Harry lowered his arms and showed her that he wasn't lifting it. "I've discovered that if I give a large article a hug, it'll go too," he muttered.
Hermione's eyes flamed. "Winky? Dobby?" she called. When the two house elves appeared, she asked them to assist in putting her things away. They nodded happily. She turned to Harry. "I need to speak to you upstairs, please."
Harry thinking he was going to be lectured about something followed her reluctantly. As soon as he had closed the door, she was all over him, kissing where ever her lips landed.
Several hours later, Hermione was all moved in. She packed a small bag to take to Ron and Luna's. "You'll remember the rehearsal is at 5:30, then dinner at the Charmed Cupid afterward, right?" she inquired.
"I'll be here," he said.
"Can I see my surprise then?" she teased.
Harry scowled. "No way! Not until tomorrow,"
She shrunk and pocketed her small bag, kissed him quickly and apparated away. Harry noticed that immediately the house felt empty.
Rising even earlier the next morning, Harry went out back and uncovered his gazebo. The pale blue roses were just barely budding. With a flick of his wand, they were in full bloom. The crocuses he'd planted along the walkway looked perfect. He stood back and admired his work.
Remus arrived before long. "It looks lovely, Harry," he exclaimed. "Hermione will be impressed."
"I was thinking," said Harry. "I wonder if she'll mind if I move this after the ceremony. I'd kind of like my quidditch field back."
"I'm sure that will be fine. Are you nervous?" the older man asked.
"About getting married?" he questioned. "No. I am not looking forward to the reception tonight, though." Harry looked over at his house elves, who were scurrying about with adding last minute touches, and smiled.
"It'll be fine, I promise you that. Every Auror will be there, as well as the MLE's, the Unspeakables…even the ones on vacation volunteered to come and help. You've made quite a name for yourself at the Ministry…"
Harry smiled. "Maybe I should just relax and enjoy it, is what you are getting at."
Lupin put an arm around him. "Concentrate on your bride. We'll take care of everything else."
Harry beamed. "I'll do that."
Ron and Remus accompanied Harry to the gazebo when the time came. All wearing their Ministry dress robes, complete with sashes and sabers. The hundred or so chairs he'd conjured were filled and several more people were standing at the back.
He looked toward the area where she would appear to find it empty. Ron leaned over toward him and said, "You know girls are always late. Relax."
Harry nodded and continued to watch. Then he saw her. She was on the arm of Mr. Weasley, her own parents having been killed during the second war. She was wearing sheer dress robes over a slim, white, satin dress that fit like a glove. She gave him a wide smile as she took in the gazebo he'd created for her.
"You look amazing," Harry whispered as she approached. Her face turned pink. "I thought for a minute you weren't coming."
"Why would I be anywhere else? I told you before my life's not complete without you in it," she replied.
"I think I finally believe you," he said as they turned and faced the cleric.
They took each other's hand and turned to face the minister who gave them a warmsmile that helped calm their nerves. This was the moment theyhad been waiting for.
The minister began to speak, "Welcome family, friends and guests and welcome to the joining together in love of Harry James Potter and Hermione Jane Granger.Today wecelebrate the merging of these two livesin marriage,even though they have already been joined insoul and spirit for a long time." Harry tried to listen to the beautiful words the minister was saying about love and relationships and yes, even soul mates, but all Harry could think about was that with each word he was closer to making Hermione his wife. He still couldn't believe that this wonderful, extraordinary woman had agreed to spend the rest of his life with him. As he snuck quick glances at her he could not imagine how he almost let her get away. In fact, he kept sneaking glances at her also just to be sure she didn't change her mind and turn and run in the other direction. But, Merlin, did she look so exquisite in her wedding gown. One of the many times he had his eyes trained on her, she caught him staring and gave him the sweetest smile and squeezed his hand in reassurance.
Finally, the time had come to speak their vows. Even though it was a wizarding wedding, they had chosen to speak the traditional muggles vows. Hermione had told him during one of their late night talks that she wanted the same vows that her parents had spoken at their wedding and since they were no longer there to share the day, Harry agreed that they should to honor them in this way. As the minister recited the words, Harry and Hermione repeated them to each other making their promises of love, friendship, support and loyalty. The most emotional part of the vows for them was when it came time to pledge to be there during sickness and health. Everyone in attendance knew what Harry had gone through and some about what Hermione had gone through. There was not a dry eye in the house. Even Ron and Remus were openly crying.
The candle ritual was almost a disaster. In it, they were to think of their love for each other, then cast a flame charm on a candle across the way. Harry had decided against using his wand. After picturing how much he truly loved her in his mind, he whispered, "Incendio." A huge ball of flame erupted from his finger tips and nearly ignited the gazebo. Remus was standing by with his wand.
"Whoops…" Harry muttered. The audience giggled. "I tried to hold back. I did! I'm sorry, Hermione," he whispered to her.
Hermione looked at him with fire in her eyes. "I love it that just thinking about me causes you to lose control. There's nothing to be sorry for."
After the rituals and vows had been completed and they were a little more composed, they sealed their bond by exchanging the rings. The same ones exchanged by Harry's parents so many years ago. Then, the ministerfinally pronounced them husband and wife. The crowdstood up and cheered as Harry and Hermione shared their first kiss as a married couple.
Harry apparated Hermione to his office at the Ministry about a half hour before the reception. "Are you sure we have to show up? We could just hide out in here for a bit, then sneak back to the house…" he suggested.
"Haven't you had enough problems with protocol lately?" she asked.
"Sod protocol…" he sneered. "I haven't touched you in days. Let's just get out of here…"
"We can't, Harry," she giggled. "Though I wouldn't say no to that cloud thing you did at the hospital…"
The bride and groom arrived at the reception only a half hour late. Mr. Weasley rushed over to them as they entered. "Good! You've arrived," he said as he hurried them forward to the head table. Harry noticed his house elves' handiwork as he saw the strings of ornaments bearing his and Hermione's faces.
"What kept you?" asked Ron, who upon seeing a reddening of his friend's faces abruptly changed the subject. "How about those Cannons? Think they'll make it all the way this year?"
Harry was led off by Minister Bones to be introduced to the visiting guests. Hermione found plenty to keep her occupied, first chatting with Ron and Luna, then Healer Strankford. Soon, it was time for dinner. A lavish feast, the likes of which Harry had never seen before, appeared on the tables. He made his way back to where he was sitting.
"I missed you," he told his new wife, wrapping an arm around her and kissing her gently on the cheek.
After dinner, the bride and groom led the first dance. Soon Harry lost track of how many people he had danced with. There was one moment that stood out in his mind, when Tonks, while dancing with Remus nearly knocked Harry over onto his partner, the wife of the delegate from Bulgaria.
"Dreadfully sorry," apologized Tonks as she and Lupin scurried away quickly.
The names and faces of the people he'd met began to blur. He caught the eye of his bride, who made her way toward him at the end of the song.
Harry snickered when he noticed that every layer of the cake they were cutting was cream filled. "Can we get some of this to take out?" he asked his wife with a grin.
"If you are a good groom and don't smear it on my face, I'll see what I can do…" she replied. Harry took extreme care when he fed her the bit of cake.
"You're good at that," observed Remus.
"I have reason to be…" replied Harry.
Ron gave the first toast. "Harry, Hermione, you guys have been the best mates a boy could ever have. Can anyone find anything more fitting than for Harry Potter to marry a Healer? Seriously, though. I knew that the two of you were inevitable; the hard part was convincing you of that, Harry. When you told me that true love was rubbish, I knew I had to prove you wrong. May the happiness you feel today last you a lifetime."
So many toasts were made to the happy couple that Harry's head was buzzing and Hermione was becoming very giggly. Harry went over to speak to the Minister about his intentions to leave.
"Thank you for this, Mr. Potter," she said. "You need to give a short speech then, you are free to go."
Harry grimaced and made his way to the podium. "Thank you all for coming this evening, especially our foreign guests, to help me celebrate what has certainly been the best day of my life so far."
"We want to thank the Ministry for this wonderful party in our honor, our friends for helping to make it so special and I especially want to thank my wife. Hermione, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, love. I promise you that even if it takes the rest of my life, I'll make all of your dreams come true. I love you."
"And if anyone out there has the slightest idea to threaten the peace that our world has finally achieved, remember what I said in that graveyard…I will be watching. Thank you again, everyone, for coming. Feel free to stay as long as you'd like, but forgive me if I'd rather spend my wedding night alone with my wife…" Everyone snickered at Harry's impatience to leave.
"Mr. Potter, before you go…" began, Don Anderson, the Minister of Magic from America. "We'd like to take this opportunity to show our gratitude for everything you've done for our world. The other dignitaries and I have pooled our resources to offer you a small gift of appreciation." He held up a set of keys. "We had many meetings regarding what gift would befit a young groom and his lovely bride. We couldn't decide which would be more appropriate, a nice honeymoon or something more permanent. So, we've reached a compromise; please accept, with our best wishes, the keys to a beachside bungalow on Molokai, Hawaii. The deed will be ready to sign upon your arrival. And in the spirit of the islands, Mahalo!"
Hermione beamed at Harry, whose eyes had never been bigger. He accepted the keys and portkey, then offered his own thanks with a handshake. Harry knew it would be rude to leave immediately, so he took Hermione by the hand and made his way around to thank the dignitaries for the gift. They each placed conjured flowery leis around his and Hermione's necks.
Harry and Hermione looked over at Ron and Luna, then back at each other with a wide grin. "Say, Ron…" called Harry. "Do you guys want to join us in Hawaii next weekend? Then we can all return together. Think of it as a last blast before the baby comes…I've heard Jobberknolls have been spotted there…" Ron and Luna exchanged an excited look.
Harry and Hermione spent the rest of the evening opening a mountain of wedding gifts. Dobby prepared a large room to put things until they returned from their honeymoon, while Winky charmed Thank you notes for them to sign. "This one is from Malfoy," stated a surprised Hermione as she read the card.
"Bin it…" suggested Harry. "I probably got better presents from the Dursley's."
Just then the box made a yipping noise. Hermione opened it quickly to find a Crup puppy, which licked Hermione's face immediately. "Aren't you adorable! Let's name him Jack!" she exclaimed. Harry rolled his eyes.
After several hours of opening gifts and signing charmed notes, finally they were finished. Harry scooped his wife into his arms and headed up for bed, with Jack nipping at his heels.